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PROPOSAL STOCKINDESIGN.COM

Introduction Solar Permitting Process in the District

Preparing the Plan SetZoning Review

Construction Documents

Neighbor Notification

Electrical Engineering Review

Fire Engineering Review

Structrual Engineering Review

The Solar Permit Application ProjectDox

Advantages

Cautions

Solar Permit Fees and IssuanceSolar Electric (PV)

Solar Thermal

Building Permit Issuance

Permit Revisions

Inspections

Solar PV Agency Contacts

Supporting Resources

Table of Contents

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WEBSITE PROPOSAL DESIGNED NY ERICK RAGASThe Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs

IntroductionSolar systems require permits and inspections in the District of Columbia. This guide provides an overview of code requirements for solar instal-lations, out lays the specific elements involved, and highlights some common pitfalls. This guide is a general information guide. Additional code elements may apply to any specific project.

SOLAR PERMITTING PROCESS IN THE DISTRICTThe permitting sequence typically involves: • Plan Preparation• Permit Application• Plan Review• Installation• Inspections• The Operation of a New Solar System• Pepco requires a parallel review process.

You can find information at pepco.com/gpc.

Prepare the documents in your plans in this order (these will be digital, generally PDF's, for ProjectDox submittal):

ZONING REVIEWZoning plan preparation may include a Site Plan, plats and the Solar Zoning Self-Certifica-tion Form. When the solar system is less than 4’ (four feet) above the roof or parapet wall, an application for Zoning Self-Certification for a Solar System Permit (also called the Solar Zoning Self-Certification, SZSC) is available on buildgreendc.org that may significantly speed permit processing through DCRA. Upload the SZSC form, and the associated Clean Hands

Certification, into the Supporting Documents folder in ProjectDox (DCRA's online permitting application system) for each project.

Note: Make it very obvious on your plans, with notes and elevations or sections, that the system is less than 4’ above the roof or parapet wall. The Solar Zoning Self-Certification will require you to identify the page(s) on which this detail is shown on your plans. In such cases, it is general-ly permissible to submit a site plan which is not drawn on an official DC plat. Similar information must be conveyed - existing buildings and pro-posed solar system, all accurately dimensioned, labeled, placed and oriented.

Plat: If the project rises more than 4’ above the roof or parapet wall, you will need to obtain a plat from the Surveyor's Office and the existing structure(s) and proposed solar system must be added to the plat and labeled accordingly. The online guide “Steps to Showing Improvements on Plat” is available and may help clarify these requirements.

Preparing the Plan Set

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PROPOSAL STOCKINDESIGN.COMPreparing the Plan Set

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTSThis refers to scaled plans, specifications and details. All plans should be submitted as sin-gle-page PDF's and uploaded in the drawings folder of ProjectDox. Refer to the ProjectDox User Manual for further information. Further guidance on ProjectDox submittals is also of-fered below. The architectural plans should in-clude roof layout and schematic detailing of the solar module and roof attachment details.

Engineering plans include electrical, fire protec-tion, structural, plumbing, and mechanical (as applicable) details with associated calculations. Note, that extended calculations and engineer-ing documentation can be uploaded in Projet-Dox supporting documents tab.

A Site Plan includes the location of all major components including modules, inverter(s), disconnects, main electrical service, and meter. Please refer to the DCRA ProjectDox Applicant User Guide for further details on ProjectDox protocol.

NEIGHBOR NOTIFICATIONDCRA has a Neighbor Notification process, how-ever, it is not typically required for solar projects unless they involve the installation of structural support of an adjacent building structure or the underpinning of a party wall. If the Code Official or designee determines a project does involve such work, the project is subject to Sections 3307.2 or 3307.3 of the building code, and the applicant will be required to provide neighbor notification pursuant to those sections of the DC Building Code.

A solar system attached to a party wall and “that could affect the structural integrity of a party wall” does not require neighbor notifica-tion, but pursuant to 3307.4:

“[T]he person causing the work shall preserve the party wall from injury and ensure the struc-tural stability of the party wall at said person’s own expense. The party wall shall be maintained weatherproof and structurally stable.”

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING REVIEWSubmit a completed Standard Electrical Plan that includes the following:• Location/position of the main service or util-

ity disconnect (these can be on the Site Plan referenced above).

• Location of grid intertie (i.e. backfed break-er, lineside tap), and details of the connec-tion. Note, that connections must be made inside rated boxes.

• Total number of modules, the number of modules per string, and the total number of strings.

• Make and models of inverters, combiner box-es, optimizers and other equipment.

• One-line or Three-line diagram of the sys-tem.

• Specify grounding/bonding connections & hardware, conduit type and size, the number and size of conductors in each section of conduit. Show calculations to verify proper temperature de-rating, etc.

• Equipment cut sheets including inverters, modules, racking systems, AC and DC dis-connects and combiners, pumping stations, storage tanks, etc.

• Intended labeling of equipment as required by NEC sections 690 & 705 (and any other applicable code). See below.

FIRE ENGINEERING REVIEW PV systems shall meet code requirements in DC Fire Code 605.11. For commercial systems, this requires as a minimum a 4’ setback from all roof edges (sometimes 6’). The DC Fire Code is available online. Further requirements including maximum array size, etc. are present in the Fire Code.

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING REVIEWVerify existing structural members, including beams, are in compliance with current building codes, including changes in snow load patterns caused by the modules (drifting and sliding snow), wind loads, dead loads of modules and their mounting system, ballast, etc., as well as, existing roof dead loads both for strength and deflection, as applicable.

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WEBSITE PROPOSAL DESIGNED NY ERICK RAGASThe Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs

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PROPOSAL STOCKINDESIGN.COMSection 1

Ground snow loads in Washington, DC are 25 psf residential and 30 psf commercial. An optional Certification of Structural Design is available per 2013 DCMR 12A 106.1.4.1 which involves an application form and indications on related plan pages. The Code Official is autho-rized to accept the structural portions of the plans, thus certified at the Code Official’s dis-cretion. The engineering documentation should show clear evidence that the project was fully evaluated by the engineer.

Note: The applicant is responsible for coordinat-ing with Pepco on all interconnection application requirements. Generally, that will initially include Part 1 of the Pepco Interconnection Application. You will have to receive “Permission to Install” from Pepco before starting the installation. For more details on the interconnection application process and the required forms, visit Pepco's NEM and Small Generator Interconnection web-site at pepco.com/greenpowerconnection.

Section 1Solar Permit Application

Solar Permit Application Permitting begins online. Start the process at dcra.dc.gov at the Online Construction Permit Intake (OCPI). As you start the Construction Permit application process, select “Solar” as the service type: this will get you to the solar-specific permit application number that begins with "SOL" (ex. SOL159815). Several pages further, you will enter the details of the system. The precise fields required will depend somewhat on prior choices (i.e. solar PV sys-tems vs. solar thermal). Note, that in the case of PV, you will enter the number, and size of modules in Watts (i.e., 280 W), and the total system size in kW.

After completing the online application, the

applicant will typically pay online. After the application is processed, the applicant is sent an email invitation to upload their plans into ProjectDox, DCRA’s online electronic permitting application. Once the applicant has logged into ProjectDox, the plans are submitted as PDF files online. Review proceeds concurrently by all departments.

ADVANTAGES• Concurrent review by all departments allows

for a quicker turnaround than a sequential approach.

• Online application means plans are submit-ted, monitored and updated without requir-ing visits to DCRA.

• Digital/Electronic plans mean no copy costs, free use of color, simpler permit sizing con-straints, and easy sharing and transmission of permits in both application and issued stages.

CAUTIONS• Very specific plan formatting requirements

for file names, page layouts and other plan features have to meet system requirements precisely (see online ProjectDox Applicant User Manual).

• Learning curve for the applicant: requires some computer skills.

• Currently, the applicant must visit DCRA at least once for permit issuance and any re-quired final payment. In general, this can be a relatively brief visit.

The following reviews are most likely to be nec-essary when installing a solar photovoltaic sys-tem: Electrical, Fire Protection, Structural, and Zoning (or self-certification); less common are Plumbing, Mechanical, and Historic Preservation (bold disciplines are always required).

ProjectDox can accept other file formats, but converts them all to pdf. The online DC Project-Dox Applicant User Guide goes into the details of the ProjectDox submittal process.

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WEBSITE PROPOSAL DESIGNED NY ERICK RAGASWashington, DCWashington, DCWashington, DCThe Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs

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PROPOSAL STOCKINDESIGN.COMSolar Permit Fees & Issuance

Solar Permit Fees & IssuanceSolar Electric (PV) systems fees will be assessed at the following rates:

DCRA SCHEDULE OF FEES1 FOR SOLAR PV SYSTEMS

Building Permit Fee

< 15 kW 15-99 kW 100-200 kW 200 kW

$250 Residential/$300 Commercial

$300+ $11.25/kW >15

$1250 + $2.50/kW>100

$1500 +$1/kw >200

Enhancement Fee

10% of total fee

Solar Thermal system fees will be assessed at the following rates:

DCRA SCHEDULE OF FEES FOR SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEMS

Building Permit Fee

Fewer Than 10 Panels

10-24 Panels 25-49 Panels 50 Panels and More

$250 Residential$300 Commercial

$300 + $25 per each panel > 10

$650 + $15 per add. panel > 25

$1010 + $10 per add. panel > 50

Enhancement Fee 10% of total fee

The solar permitting fees above became effec-tive on October 1, 2014. In addition to the build-ing permit, there will be required trade permits (i.e. Electrical, Mechanical, and/or Plumbing). The most common of these will be Electrical permits for residential PV. Only a DC-licensed master tradesperson may apply for trade per-mits. Electrical/Trades permits MUST reference the associated Sol Permit or they will not be considered to be applicable. Typical residential PV Electrical trade permit requirements are:• $33 for Inverter/transformer 1-10 kVA

Further information on the requirements of Historic Preservation is available online. Check here for a full schedule of permit fees.

(Group 9)• Commercial and larger residential jobs will

have larger inverters• $39 Service through 200A (Group 8)• With fees, the total will probably be around

$80 (all fees subject to change) for residen-tial projects

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WEBSITE PROPOSAL DESIGNED NY ERICK RAGASThe Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs

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PROPOSAL STOCKINDESIGN.COMSection 3Solar Permit Fees and Issuance

BUILDING PERMIT ISSUANCEAfter the assigned reviews have been complet-ed, the customer comes into DCRA, goes to the Issuance desk, documents are checked for completeness, remaining fees are paid, and the building permit is issued. Since fees for solar are often confirmed during the structural review, the customer sometimes receives an invoice at this point and pays the fees to the cashier, if they have not done so. Fees can be paid by cash, check, and credit card.

PERMIT REVISIONSIn some cases, after a permit is issued, design changes occur: most commonly, additional modules are added or array layout is changed. Sometimes, an inspector determines something has not been installed per the permitted plans, but is a legal installation. In these cases, it is necessary to do a permit revision, so that the plans accurately reflect the final installed solar system. Doing a permit revision is simple and inexpensive.

PERMIT REVISION STEPSStart your permit revision process in the Online Construction Permmit Intake system as usual. In the project description, describe the project as a permit revision, and include the old Permit num-ber. Make note of what the revisions entail, since that may determine what reviews it is subject to (i.e. minor electrical revision – no changed com-ponents or locations/sizes). Do not pay! When you get to the end, “save” but don’t “finish”. You will then need to either come in, or email Keith.

Winston@dc.gov /Green Building Code Inspec-tor, or contact the Permit Center at 202-442-4400, to have the fees changed to those of a permit revision ($36.30). After you have paid the fee online, you should be in a normal per-mit workflow (that is, you will get a ProjectDox invitation). Upload the entire original stamped plan set into the Supporting Documents folder – it can be a single, multi-page file or single pages. Upload only the new pages into the Drawings folder. Your cover sheet for the revision should meet ProjectDox requirements.

INSPECTIONSFollowing construction, DCRA must conduct inspections of Solar installations to ensure com-pliance with the approved plans and the D.C. Construction Codes – these consist of a Final Building Inspection and a Final Electrical Inspec-tion, and others as applicable. Such inspections are scheduled through DCRA’s phone-in inspec-tion scheduling system (IVR). Further informa-tion can be found here: dcra.dc.gov/service/schedule-construction-inspection.

After inspections, the contractor or owner will be required to submit a copy of your DCRA On-Site Inspection Record to Pepco along with Part II of your Pepco Interconnection. For more de-tails on the interconnection application process and to access all the required forms, visit Pep-co's NEM and Small Generator Interconnection website at pepco.com/greenpowerconnection.

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WEBSITE PROPOSAL DESIGNED NY ERICK RAGASThe Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs

SOLAR PV AGENCY CONTACTS

AGENCY DIVISION CONTACT EMAIL

DCRAOffice of the Zoning

AdminstratorKathleen Beeton kathleen.beeton@dc.gov

DCRA Green Building Keith Winston keith.winston@dc.gov

DOEE Energy Administration

Torrey BeekDaniel White

torrey.beek@dc.govdaniel.white2@dc.gov

Pepco Green Power Connection Team gpc-south@pepco.com

SUPPORTING RESOURCES

DCRA has created several resources to assist in understanding solar installation requirements, and to aid in plan design directly. Please find them at the Solar Portal on BuildGreenDC.org. Contact our Green Building Division directly at green.building@dc.gov.

Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs1100 4th Street SW

Washington DC 20024Phone: 202-442-4400

dcra.dc.gov